L4 - Trauma

Lecture + Textbook Chapter(s) 7 (pg.198-209)

Posttraumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD)

A mental health condition triggered by experiencing or witnessing terrifying, life-threatening, or traumatic events.

It causes persistent, disruptive symptoms like flashbacks, nightmares, severe anxiety, and avoidance of triggers for over a month, impacting daily functioning.

• Linked to increased risk of cardiovascular disease.

• Two-thirds of those with PTSD also have a history of (other disorders such as) anxiety disorder.

Acute Stress Disorder (ASD)

Similar to PTSD, symptoms occur after trauma. However, symptoms must last under 1 month (3 days to 1 month) to be diagnosed with only acute.

Imaginal Exposure

The person deliberately remembers the event in their mind.

4 Symptoms of PTSD

1. Intrusively re-experiencing the event.

2. Avoidance of stimuli associated with the event.

3. Negative moods and thoughts

4. Increased arousal and reactivity.

Complex PTSD

Prolonged exposure to trauma may result in a broader range of symptoms than covered by the DSM, hence this diagnosis.

Ataque De Nevios

Originally identified in Puerto Rico, involves physical symptoms and fears of going crazy in the aftermath of severe stress and thus is similar to PTSD.

Factors Influencing Getting PTSD

• Severity of trauma (high severity = higher risk).

• The nature of the trauma (human is more likely than natural disasters).

PTSD and The Brain

• Tied with greater activation in the Locus Coeruleus (Norepinephrine production → explains potentially hyperactivity to threat-related stimuli).

• Diminished activity in hippocampus in cognitive tasks and emotional regulation.

  • Blunted activation of hippocampus is a predictor of PTSD.

Medical Treatments of PTSD

Uses SSRIs (Selective Serotonin Reuptake Inhibitors) such as Paxil and Zoloft (more technical terms but eh..).

• Risk of relapse (as with all medications honestly..)

Psychological Treatments of PTSD

• Prolonged Exposure Treatment = good!

  • Involves breathing exercises, exposure, challenging negative beliefs, etc.

• Cognitive Processing Therapy = also good!

  • Helpful in reducing guilt.

• Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing (EMDR) = Alright.. Mixed results about whether eye movement part works.

• Online Therapy = Reaches more people !

Adjustment Disorder

A short-term, stress-related condition characterized by an excessive emotional or behavioural reaction (anxiety, depression, behavioural changes) to a specific life stressor, such as divorce, job loss, or illness.

Reactive Attachment Disorder

A rare, serious condition where infants or young children fail to form healthy emotional attachments with caregivers due to early neglect, abuse, or instability.

Disinhibited Social Engagement Disorder

A childhood attachment disorder stemming from severe neglect or abuse, characterized by a child’s lack of fear, over-friendliness, and lack of boundaries with unknown adults.